Consider split parallel planes - layer on layer preserving tracks of dinosaur, fossils of crawling lizards, snakes, shells, starfish, coral - artifacts of an ancient sea . . . shale: surface-patterns of storm-lash, wave-wash ripples - patterns held too tightly in hands crumble to fine sand sifting through fingers. Consider shale . . . in this isolation will our walking shoes indent imprints for tomorrow's wonders?